long runs and taxes

There are a few things in life that you just cannot avoid.  As a runner, training for a marathon, one cannot avoid the long runs.  Long runs can range anywhere between 6mi - 22mi (or even longer if you're training for an Ultra Marathon - anything over the standard 26.2).  You recall a couple of weekends ago I ran two halves.  I counted that as a long run (and rightly so, I believe!).  Last weekend, I logged a slow, ugly 17miles.  This week, I've a 20miler on the schedule.

Long runs aren't meant to be easy; let me tell you they are not.  But they are absolutely necessary - for me, anyway.  I've heard of some people who never run farther than a half in training and go run a full marathon...more power to 'em.  I have to work hard for my marathons!  And I'm glad for that, I like seeing my hard work pay off.

Before the long run, I pack up my Camelbak, 3-4 Gu's, my phone, my ID bracelet, and another form of energy supplement (candy, shotbloks, gum, honey packets, etc).  I think about where I'm going to run, if there will be sidewalks, if there will be hills.  I worry about what the weather will be like and what I should wear.  But when the day of the long run comes, I just go out there and get after it as best I can.

Perhaps the thought of logging 20mi or running for 3.5hrs seems unreasonable to you.  It did to me before I started training for marathons!  I would have tried to avoid something like that at all costs...  But now that I do crazy things like this, I'm finding that I don't want to avoid these runs.  I want to pay my dues to make my experience at the marathon a good one.

Now, has anyone seen a weather report for Boston on Saturday?  ;)